What’s on in Cape Town this October!

Hear ye, hear ye, lend me your ears, and I’ll sing you a song about NE-YO and the Ultimate R&B Experience Tour coming to Cape Town.

Not a fan of smooth tunes? How about goblins and ghosts arriving at their haunted house outpost? Stormers fans are in for a double whammy this month as they take on the Sharks and the Scarlets at DHL Stadium.

October also ushers in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon. Entries are still open if you’re keen to write your page in the history books.

Don’t worry if you’re not the fitness kind; there’s more in store, from a monthly vegan market in Tokai to flying kites in Ottery, literally.

And on that note, hou vas, the kids are back at school from Tuesday, 6 October. Until then, may the force be with you.

CBD

Loeries Creative Week 2026

• Wednesday, 7 October - Sunday, 11 October
• Venue: Cape Town City Hall and The Homecoming Centre 
• Cost: From R165, bookings via Webtickets

Loeries Creative Week 2026 is the place to be for creatives in the advertising and communications industry. Featuring masterclasses, workshops, networking sessions, and the International Seminar of Creativity, the week closes with prestigious Loeries Awards Nights. Of course, no awards week is complete without an after-party, happening on Friday, 9 October at Cabo Beach Club.

Nelson Mandela Marathon

• Sunday, 18 October, 5:30am
• Venue: Strand Street, finish line: Grand Parade
• Cost: From R80, entry via website

Thousands of runners will take to the streets for the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon Cape Town, a major new event created in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.  The route will weave through some of the most recognisable and historically significant landmarks, including the Castle of Good Hope, Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap and District Six. 

Dracula

• Wednesday, 28 October - Sunday, 1 November, 7:30pm and 2pm
• Venue: Artscape Theatre, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore 
• Cost: R250 - R500, bookings via Webtickets

Following a successful run at Artscape earlier this year, David Nixon’s Dracula returns to haunt the stage. The best part? You can watch all the drama, intrigue and gothic intensity during Halloween week. Courtesy of Cape Town City Ballet, the classic tale is reimagined through movement, music, and theatrical design.

Cape Town Zombie Walk

• Saturday, 31 October, 5pm - 6pm
• Venue: Starts at 109 Government Avenue
• Cost: Free to join, from R100 per person (after party), bookings via Quicket

For the longest time, my kids have been nagging me to join the Zombie Walk. Alas, this year I have no excuse. Join the thousands of “zombies” rising from the dead. Bring on the theatrics and try your best zombie impersonation. You’re also walking for a worthy cause: Cape Town Zombie Walk supports the Lucky Lucy Foundation, helping rescue abused and neglected animals. 

ATLANTIC SEABOARD

Zeitz MOCAA presents Re-enactments: Cauleen Smith Symposium and Book Launch

• Saturday, 10 October, 2pm
• Venue: Zeitz MOCAA, S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront 
• Cost: R350, bookings via Webtickets

U.S. filmmaker and multimedia artist Cauleen Smith’s sculpted objects and sonic landscapes force you to be uncomfortable. Maybe it's a good thing. Best known for her film Drylongso, Cauleen’s experimental works address African-American identity.

Time Out tip: South African and African citizens receive a 43% discount when purchasing tickets on site at the museum.

Wellness Escape 

• Saturday, 17 October, 9am - 2pm
• Venue: The President Hotel, 4 Alexander Rd, Bantry Bay 
• Cost: R890, bookings via reservations@presidenthotel.co.za

Start the day with a dip at Saunders’ Rock followed by a restorative sauna session, before moving into a yoga flow with Leigh from House of Yoga. By then you have worked up an appetite. Off to a wellness brunch and a hands-on Healing Earth Beauty Kitchen experience where you’ll create your own botanical body scrub to take home. 

Into The Woods

• Saturday, 24 October - Saturday, 31 October, 2:30pm and 7:30pm
• Venue: Theatre On The Bay, Camps Bay 
• Cost: R250 - R400, bookings via Webtickets

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s beloved musical Into the Woods is an enchanting production bringing together classic fairy tales, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. Directed by the acclaimed Sylvaine Strike, with musical direction by Amy Campbell, choreography by Naoline Quinzin, and set and costume design by Marcel Meyer.

SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Vegan Goods Market

• Sunday, 4 October, 10am - 3pm
• Venue: Orpen Rd, Tokai
• Cost: R20 entrance fee, kids under-12 are free

Held on the first Sunday of every month at The Range in Tokai, the community-focused market brings together food, drinks, local makers, live music, sustainable shopping and plenty of reasons to linger. More than 50 vendors serve up an impressively broad spread of vegan food and beverages, from sweet treats to savoury bites.

Elysium

• Saturday, 3 October - Saturday, 10 October, 3pm and 7:30pm
• Venue: Pam Golding Theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Rd, Rondebosch 
• Cost: R200 - R495, bookings via Webtickets

A captivating ballet production that brings together four diverse works of celebrated choreographers Balanchine, Duato, Tindall and Reid, Elysium offers a unique perspective on the human experience. Presented by Cape Ballet Africa, patrons will enjoy a visual feast of contrasting choreography, music, and artistic styles.

Rabbit Heart Presents the Manor of Mischief

• Saturday, 31 October, 10am - 6pm
• Venue: Glenhof Manor, 12 Glenhod Road, Newlands
• Cost: From R200, bookings via Howler

Ten rooms. Two floors. And a whole lot of jump scares. The Manor of Mischief is designed for children up to 12 years. The playful, interactive experience sparks imagination, curiosity and a little Halloween mischief. Older than 12? When the sun goes down, a darker, scarier manor house comes alive.

CAPE FLATS

Zibonele FM Maskandi Experience

• Saturday, 10 October, 10am - 10pm
• Venue: Mandela Park Stadium, Tambo Rd, Mandela Park, Khayelitsha 
• Cost: R200 - R500, bookings via Webtickets

Celebrate authentic South African culture at the Zibonele FM Maskandi Experience. The fun-filled day features captivating Maskandi music and other genres, vibrant performances, brimming with energy and tradition.  The artist lineup includes Limit Nala, Shenge, Mthandeni SK, Ringo Madlingozi, and Cairo CPT. 

Observatory Film Festival

• Saturday, 24 October, 6pm - 10pm
• Venue: Observatory Community Recreation Centre, Rawson Street, Observatory 
• Cost: From R65, bookings via Quicket

Emerging filmmakers will know how hard it is to break into the industry. And that’s why events like the FKA The Obs-cene Film Festival exist. It was created as a collaborative film festival to help get eyes on their work. Join fellow film buffs for the fourth iteration of the festival with a great selection of independent/student films.

Cape Town International Kite Festival

• Saturday, 24 October and Sunday, 25 October, 10am - 6pm
• Venue: Youngsfield Military Base, Ottery 
• Cost: From R50, bookings via Quicket

The Cape Town International Kite Festival returns with a vibrant new theme, #ColourTheSky. As always, the festival takes flight with giant kites, family entertainment and a powerful message of mental health awareness. Remember, the annual event is hosted by Cape Mental Health, and it’s an integral funding model that ensures essential free mental health services across the Western Cape.

NORTHERN SUBURBS

Mommy & Me Expo

• Saturday, 3 October - Sunday, 4 October, 9am - 3pm
• Venue: D’aria Wine Estate, M13, Tygerberg Valley Road, Durbanville 
• Cost: R100, bookings via Webtickets

Imagine a one-stop shop for all your baby essentials. Mommy & Me Expo returns to D’aria Wine Estate, bringing together more than 60 exhibitors. Platforming local and international baby brands, most products are at discounted expo pricing.

Dave: The Boy Who Played the Harp Tour

• Tuesday, 6 October, 8pm
• Venue: Grand Arena at GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park 
• Cost: From R685, bookings via Ticketmaster

David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, aka Dave, has had quite an impressive career thus far. Known for his socially conscious lyricism and wordplay, the British rapper and music producer brings his critically acclaimed The Boy Who Played the Harp Tour to South Africa. 

NE-YO Live in South Africa

• Saturday, 17 October, 6pm
• Venue: Grand Arena at GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park 
• Cost: R990 - R1,890, bookings via Webtickets

Would you rather spend R2K to watch Grammy-award-winning R&B artist NE-YO or put it towards your end-of-year grocery hamper? No, it’s not a trick question. But that’s a steep price to pay to see a man singing ‘Miss Independent’, wearing a fedora. Computer says “no”.

WEST COAST

In The City with Isaiah Rashad & Sinéad Harnett

• Saturday, 3 October, noon - 11pm
• Venue: The Ostrich, Van Schoorsdrif Rd, Philadelphia 
• Cost: From R599, bookings via Quicket

Headlined by American rapper and singer Isaiah Rashad and supported by Sinéad Harnett, In The City Cape Town is the type of event where you come for the show and stay for the party. Start with the CRAYONS-hosted Day Party and carry the energy straight into the night with a full lineup of live performances.

Robot Racing Presents MK1 vs The Rest

• Wednesday, 14 October, 6:30pm
• Venue: Killarney International Raceway, 6 Potsdam Road, Table View
• Cost: R70, bookings via Webtickets

This is probably the closest you’ll get to street racing without breaking the law. Two cars stand at a red light. The light turns green and whoever crosses the finish line first, 400 metres away, is the winner. Simple as that.

CAPE WINELANDS

Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees

• Saturday, 3 October - Sunday, 11 October
• Venue: 37 Ryneveld St, Stellenbosch 
• Cost: Show-dependent, bookings via Quicket

One of the biggest arts festivals in the country, Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees showcases emerging and established artists. This year’s edition brings Zaan Sonnekus & Tasché and Booshle G to the Stellies stage.

Franschhoek Classic Car Festival 2026

• Saturday, 3 October - Sunday, 4 October, 10am
• Venue: Franschhoek Huguenot Memorial Monument, 13 Lambrechts Rd, Franschhoek
• Cost: R250, bookings via Webtickets

For two days, Franschhoek transforms into a classic car lover’s dream. Hosted at the Huguenot Monument, the event will include the signature ‘Forty of the Finest’ display (forty iconic pre-1995 vehicles), Mercedes-Benz and Golf GTI anniversary displays.

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